Trying to install Sub-C bracelet on BLNR GMTII

[Boss99er]

Hey guys, maybe you can help. I've read all of these posts about people installing the brushed Sub-C bracelet on the BLNR. I tried tonight, using my smaller GMTII spring bars as many people noted, but only one side will seat into the lugs.

Here is a closeup pic. Any idea what's going on? See how one side seats but the other doesn't? I've tried flipping the spring bars, swapping them, exact same on both sides.

Thanks guys!






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[Al1969]

Originally Posted by Boss99er

Hey guys, maybe you can help. I've read all of these posts about people installing the brushed Sub-C bracelet on the BLNR. I tried tonight, using my smaller GMTII spring bars as many people noted, but only one side will seat into the lugs.

Here is a closeup pic. Any idea what's going on? See how one side seats but the other doesn't? I've tried flipping the spring bars, swapping them, exact same on both sides.

Thanks guys!






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Why don't you use the springbars that came with the sub bracelet?

[Boss99er]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Why don't you use the springbars that came with the sub bracelet?

They don't fit the lug holes. Slightly larger.


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[Al1969]

Originally Posted by Boss99er

They don't fit the lug holes. Slightly larger.


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Interesting. Perhaps others will chime in. I recall reading other members doing that conversion with no issues.

[sanosan34]

I just installed a glidelock bracelet on my BLNR and used the GMTc springbars. It didnt snap in like the PCL bracelet, but I was able to coax the springbar in with a springbar tool pretty easily. Try pushing outwards against the springbar shoulder to see if it slides into the hole.

[presario]

I had the exact same problem. My stock GMT2C spring bars did not fit well with the Sub bracelet, even though others have claimed that it worked. I also had to squeeze the spring bars into the holes with the spring bar tool, but I never felt comfortable about it because I wasn't sure if it was fully seated or not. So I just went back to the GMT bracelet. You might want to try the Datejust spring bars which are a little smaller for a better fit.

[Pattyb69]

Using GMT II spring bars with a glidelock bracelet doesn't work. You can only get one side to lock in securely.

You need need YM/DJ type spring bars to get the perfect fit. They are sold by Everest Horology. Here is the link https://www.everestbands.com/collect...ar-1-8mm-thick. Here is the item number in case you need it: EHSBYM

I've been running this set up on my BLNR for about 2 months now and the bracelet is secure with spring bars seated perfectly.

[Boss99er]

Awesome!!! Thanks everyone!


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[sanosan34]

It's saturday night, kids and wife are asleep, and I'm just fiddling around with my BLNR. Anyway, here's a closeup of the SubC endlink on left and GMTc endlink on right. The differences are very minor but enough to cause some issues with certain springbars!

[moyski]

Originally Posted by sanosan34

It's saturday night, kids and wife are asleep, and I'm just fiddling around with my BLNR. Anyway, here's a closeup of the SubC endlink on left and GMTc endlink on right. The differences are very minor but enough to cause some issues with certain springbars!

I don't know whether to think Rolex is ingenious or devious for these minor differences which makes it that much harder for us to swap bracelets. They sure don't want us to mess around with their original designs!

[Pattyb69]

Originally Posted by moyski

I don't know whether to think Rolex is ingenious or devious for these minor differences which makes it that much harder for us to swap bracelets. They sure don't want us to mess around with their original designs!

Its devious haha. There are a bunch of other examples too. Like rose gold and white gold Daytonas have different spring bar locations than steel or yellow gold. I know this because a friend of mine who owns both steel and rose gold Daytonas can only get his Everest strap to fit on the steel version. This was later confirmed by the people at Everest.

[F308gt4]

I just did this to my BLNR the other day. Didn't have issues, glidelock bracelet snapped into place securely. Pulled on it from several angles and it's in there tight.

Fwiw, I had a very hard time removing the BLNR bracelet. Both side were in tight. I've removed the bracelet from my sub, and it was pretty straightforward (use your finger to push on the endlink when you use the tool on the spring bar so it doesn't snap back in). This technique didn't work as well on the BLNR. It worked eventually, but I think I spent over an hour on getting it out.

[Loevhagen]

All others that have tried this - have succeeded - but has experienced the same problem as OP. It's normal. Just work the springbar in place.

[Tools]

I would just change the clasp.

[F308gt4]

Originally Posted by Tools

I would just change the clasp.

But then you are still stuck with the blingy bracelet...

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by F308gt4

But then you are still stuck with the blingy bracelet...

Easily brushed.

[cjohns]

Get out the Dremel !!

[DKS2375]

I received a new GMTii LN a couple of weeks ago. First thing I did was swap the PCL bracelet for a glidelock bracelet. I used the spring bars that came with the GMTii. The glidelock fit perfectly.

[Chadridv]

This is happening on both sides with both spring bars?

If not and it's only happening to one, your spring bar might be stuck. This happened to be once and the frustration level was through the roof. Ultimately I replaced the spring bar, but I did initially get it to fully extend by dropping a tiny tiny drop of machine oil on the spring bar at the point it was stuck.

Anyhow, sorry if that's not what was going on, but figured I'd share. I hope you get it sorted out. Glidelock on 116710 is a fantastic combo.

[Spoonage]

I used my BLNR spring bars on the SubC bracelet and all is fine.

[sager]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

All others that have tried this - have succeeded - but has experienced the same problem as OP. It's normal. Just work the springbar in place.

Yup

[Ste_J]

I've had exactly the same problem as the OP.

Tried on 3 separate times to install the glidelock into my GMT using the GMT springbars with no success. Could always get one end of the springbar to engage but not the other end. Turned them around, tried the other side of the watch but no luck. Used a lot of force but could never manoeuvre the springbar fully in and don't want to chance it coming off.

I've successfully put the glidelock on 3 different 5 digit models with no issues whatsoever so was baffled and frustrated when I hit these problems.

I'm going to order a set of the springbars mentioned above to see if that helps.

Ste

[m j b]

Fortunately I'm OK with the blingy PCL bracelet, but I do miss the glidelock from my Sub. Curious, for those of us who have only one watch (oh, the horrors!) how much does a sub bracelet cost? I'm guessing $2K, minimum.

[Swiss Mad!]

I tried to shove an egg back into a chicken once...

[F308gt4]

Originally Posted by m j b

Fortunately I'm OK with the blingy PCL bracelet, but I do miss the glidelock from my Sub. Curious, for those of us who have only one watch (oh, the horrors!) how much does a sub bracelet cost? I'm guessing $2K, minimum.

I did a search of for sale ads on this forum, and it looks like $1800-2000 Is what they are going for.

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by sanosan34

It's saturday night, kids and wife are asleep, and I'm just fiddling around with my BLNR. Anyway, here's a closeup of the SubC endlink on left and GMTc endlink on right. The differences are very minor but enough to cause some issues with certain springbars!

Great picture and very interesting.

[GMT Aviator]

I didn't this with my LN GMT as soon as I bought it.

I seem to remember that you have to use the GMT spring bars and not the bars supplied with the Sub bracelet.

It's a fiddly job, the tolerances are so tight, but patience and care will see them spring into place eventually.

[Ste_J]

I can happily confirm that the Yachtmaster springbars from Everest work a treat and my GMT now has a Glidelock bracelet. They went in first time with no force and are fully engaged in the lug holes. The end links are seated tight against the case with no play.
Thought I post in case anyone searches this thread with the same problem in the future.
Ste

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by moyski

I don't know whether to think Rolex is ingenious or devious for these minor differences which makes it that much harder for us to swap bracelets. They sure don't want us to mess around with their original designs!

You never know...as a company they are sure hard to figure out sometimes particularly when it comes to any sort of follow up with their product!

[karmatp]

Just brush the bracelet like so many others have done over the years if you don't like the polished links.